MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 1997 Complete Repair Manual

311 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Light alloy wheels ..................................................... 281
Rims and tires ...........................................................288
Where to find it ................................................................ 14
Window wiper/washer, rear .......................................... 96
Windshield washer/headlamp cleaning system
Refilling ......................................................................236
Windshield wiper/washer switch ................................. 95
Winter driving ................................................................ 181
Winter driving instructions ......................................... 180
Wiper blade
Replacing ....................................................................275

Service and Literature
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center has trained technicians and original Mercedes-Benz parts
to service your vehicle properly. For expert advice and quality service, see your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
If your are interested in obtaining service literature for your vehicle, please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. We consider this the best way for you to obtain accurate information for your vehicle.
For further information you can find us on the Mercedes-Benz web-sites www.mbusa.com and www.mbusi.com.
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data and illustrations of this
Operator’s Manual. Reprinting, translation and copying, even of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior
authorization in writing.
Title illustration no. P00.00-3059-26
Press time 10/31/00
MBNA/TI
Printed in the U.S.A.
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury, be extremely careful when performing any service work or repairs. Improper
or incomplete service or the use of incorrect or inappropriate parts or materials may damage the vehicle or its
equipment, which may in turn result in personal injury.
If you have any question about carrying out some service, turn to the advice of an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.

Order No. 6515 6246 13 Part No. 163 584 28 83 USA Edition B 2001

2000-01 ACCESSORIES/SA FETY EQUIPMENT
Mercedes-Benz - Air Bag Restraint Systems
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
All models are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Syst em (SRS). The main components of SRS are driver-
side air bag module, passenger-side air bag module, si de air bag modules (located in doors), SRS control
module, side air bag sensors, SRS warning light, driver knee bolster, pa ssenger knee bolster, and Emergency
Tensioning Retractor (ETR) seat belt assembly. Additionally, some vehicles may be equipped with head impact
(curtain type) air bags (located ar ound door windows behind door frame trims).
Both SRS and ETR are electronically activated by a single control module. There are 2 thresholds which must
be exceeded to trigger an ETR acti on, air bag deployment, or both. If a moderately severe frontal collision
occurs exceeding first triggering thre shold where protection from safety belt is sufficient, only Emergency
Tensioning Retractor (ETR) is activated if safety belt is buckled. If a moderately severe frontal collision occurs
exceeding first triggering threshold where protection from safety belt is sufficient, but safety belt is not buckled,
air bag is deployed and ETR is not activated.
If a severe frontal collision occurs exceeding second triggering threshold where protection from safety belt is
insufficient, air bag is deploye d. ETR is activated if safety belt is buckled. If safety belt is not buckled, ETR is
not activated when second triggering threshold is reached. Passenger air bag will deploy even if passenger seat
is not occupied when a triggering thre shold is exceeded. If during a severe frontal collision the power supply is
interrupted, the driver and passenger air bag can still be deployed, but ETR cannot be activated.
The side air bag on the driver-side deploys whenever th e driver-side air bag module is deployed and when there
is a substantial side impact crash. The air bag on the pa ssenger-side will activate only when a sensor (Occupied
Seat Recognition Sensor) in the passenger seat sends a si gnal to the SRS control module that the passenger-side
seat is occupied. During a collision, the side air bag will then deploy.
COMPONENT LOCATIONS NOTE: The following 2000 in
formation represents the latest information available at
time of publication and m ay be useful in diagnosing 2001 vehicles. 2001 wiring
diagrams have been included at the end of this article.
WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is pos sible. Personal injury may result.
Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

before working on ai r bag system or related components.

2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
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2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
2000-01 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mercedes-Benz - Air Bag Restraint Systems
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Fig. 1: Locating Restraint System Components (2000 E Class Shown; Others Are Similar)
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.
SERVICING
SRS AIR BAG label on driver-side door latch post indicates SRS replacement date for driver and passenger air
bag units. All SRS components must be thoroughly insp ected, including wiring harness. Before component
replacement, check for SRS fault codes by performing system operation check. See SYSTEM OPERATION
CHECK . SRS service life is 10 years from manufactured date, or 10 years from SRS replacement date after
accident related repairs are completed.
SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
SRS warning light indicates air ba g and Emergency Tensioning Retracto r (ETR) system readiness. Turn
ignition on. SRS warning light will illuminate, then turn off after approximately 4-20 seconds indicating system
is functioning properly. If SRS warning light does not illuminate, illuminates while driving or is continuously
illuminated, there is a system faul t. Repair malfunctioning system. See DIAGNOSTICS
.
AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Observe following precautions when working with air bag systems:
When working around steering column components and be fore any repairs are performed, disable air bag
system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
.
Before straightening any damage to body, or before performing electrical arc-welding, disable air bag
system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
.
Always wear safety glasses and gloves when ha ndling a deployed air bag module. Air bag module may
contain sodium hydroxide deposits wh ich are irritating to the skin.
DO NOT repair any portion of SRS wiring harness.
Always handle air bag module with trim cover away from your body. Always place air bag module on
workbench with trim cover up, away from loose objects.
DO NOT expose any SRS component to temp eratures in excess of 212 F (100 C).
DO NOT expose any SRS component to cleaning agen ts such as solvents, gasoline, lye, etc.
DO NOT connect Hand-Held Tester (6511 0001 99) to Data Link Connector (DLC) with ignition on.
Damage to HHT may result.
DO NOT connect HHT (6511 0001 99) to vehicle if a battery charger is connected to vehicle battery.
Damage to HHT may result.
ADJUSTMENTS
If fixing screws were not used durin g clockspring removal or clockspring was rotated during removal, turn
clockspring clockwise until resistance is detectable. Turn clockspring counterclockwise 2-2.5 turns until fixing
screws can be unscrewed holdi ng clockspring in this position.
DISABLING & ACTIVATI NG AIR BAG SYSTEM

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DISABLING SYSTEM
Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Record radio presets and obtain anti-theft
code. Turn ignition switch to OFF position and remove ignition key. If welding on vehicle, disconnect negative
battery cable and disconnect air bag control module.
ACTIVATING SYSTEM
Ensure ignition is off. Reconnect air bag system co mponents (if disconnected). Reconnect negative battery
cable. Perform See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
.
DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
Several situations may arise requiring so me form of disposal action, including:
Scrapping a vehicle containing a deployed air bag module and-or ETR.
Scrapping a vehicle with a live air bag module and-or ETR.
Disposal of a live but electrically faulty air bag module and-or ETR.
Disposal of a deployed air bag module and-or ETR.
DEPLOYED AIR BAG OR ETR
Deployed air bag module and-or ETR unit can be thrown away. None of its components are reusable. Deployed
air bag module is NOT classified as hazardous material.
SCRAPPED VEHICLE
1. Before proceeding, follow service precautions. See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Move
vehicle outdoors to a remote area, away from work shop and other personnel. Disconnect and shield
negative battery cable. Open al l vehicle windows and doors.
2. Ensure air bag module is secured to steering wheel, and passenger air bag is secured to dash. Ensure ETR
seat belt assemblies are secured to "B" pillars and all seat belt buckles are latched. Remove loose ob
jects
CAUTION: On CL500, open doors before
disconnecting battery. Opening doors
allows windows to automa tically lower thus preventing roof seal damage.
WARNING: An undeployed air bag module or ET R should never be disposed of
without first being deplo yed. See SCRAPPED VEHICLE
. If deployment is
not possible, contact vehicle manuf acturer for further instructions.
WARNING: An undeployed air bag m odule and-or ETR seat belt CANNOT be disposed
of without first being de ployed. If this is not possible through procedures
outlined below, contact vehicle ma nufacturer for further instructions.
Perform remote deployment outdoors . Keep personnel at least 20 feet
away.

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from front seat. DO NOT allow anyone inside vehicle.
3. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Connect Trigger
Device (126-589-00-90-00) and Adapter Cable (126 589 21 63 00) to SRS system connector (X29-9)
located at passenger footwell area. Move away from ve hicle as far as trigger device wiring will allow.
4. To deploy driver air bag and ETR, turn rotary knob on trigger device to position No. 1. Push battery
check push button and ignition push button simultane ously. Trigger light should illuminate indicating
driver air bag and ETR deployed. If trigger light is illuminated and driver air bag and-or ETR did not
deploy, driver air bag module and-or ETR is faulty. See UNDEPLOYED AIR BAG
-ETR .
5. To deploy passenger air bag detonator No. 1, turn ro tary knob on trigger device to position No. 2. Push
battery check push button and igni tion push button simultaneously. Tr igger light should illuminate
indicating passenger air bag detonator No. 1 deployed. If trigger light is illuminated and passenger air bag
detonator No. 1 did not deploy, passe nger air bag module is faulty. See UNDEPLOYED AIR BAG
-
ETR .
6. To deploy passenger air bag detonator No. 2, turn ro tary knob on trigger device to position No. 3. Push
battery check push button and igni tion push button simultaneously. Tr igger light should illuminate
indicating passenger air bag detonator No. 2 deployed. If trigger light is illuminated and passenger air bag
detonator No. 2 did not deploy, passe nger air bag module is faulty. See UNDEPLOYED AIR BAG
-
ETR .
UNDEPLOYED AIR BAG-ETR
After deploying procedures and-or diagnostic testing have confirmed air bag module and-or ETR is
undeployable, contact vehicle manufacture r for proper disposal instructions.
POST-COLLISION INSPECTION
When a vehicle has been involved in a collision, certain components of the passive restraint system must be
inspected or replaced. See AIR BAG/SRS COMPONENT INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT TABLES

article in the GENERAL INFORMATION section.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY
Removal & Installation
1. Before proceeding, See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See
DISABLING & ACTIVATI NG AIR BAG SYSTEM
.
2. Remove driver air bag module. See DRIVER
-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE . Remove steering wheel bolt.
Using a puller, remove steering wheel. Disconnect lower clockspring connector. Turn 2 fixing screws
(locating on clockspring) countercl ockwise until clockspring cannot be rotated. Remove clockspring
mountin
g screws as necessary. Disconnect all necessary electrical connectors. Remove clockspring
WARNING:
Accidental air bag deployment is pos sible. Personal injury may result.
Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

before working on ai r bag system or related components.

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assembly. To install, reverse removal pr ocedure. Activate air bag system. See DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Perform system operation check to ensure system is functioning
properly. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
.
CONTROL MODULE
Removal & Installation (C Class)
1. Before proceeding, See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See
DISABLING & ACTIVATI NG AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Remove ignition key. Remove shift lever cover
bezel. Lift shift lever cover e nough to disconnect electrical connector . Remove shift lever cover.
2. Remove storage compartment mount ing screws from center console. Remove storage compartment.
Remove ashtray. Disconnect electrical connectors as necessary. Disconnect SRS control module electrical
connector. Remove SRS contro l module mounting bolts. Remove SRS control module.
3. To install, reverse removal proce dure. Ensure SRS control module arro w points to front of vehicle. Set
parameters and program new SRS control module wi th Hand-Held Tester (965 589 00 01 00). Activate
air bag system. Perform system operation check to ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM
OPERATION CHECK .
Removal & Installation (E Class)
1. Before proceeding, See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See
DISABLING & ACTIVATI NG AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Remove ignition key. Remove gear shift cover
panel. Remove ashtray and ashtray housing at front of console. Remove radio (if necessary).
2. Remove center console right side cover screws and ri ght side cover. Disconnect electrical connector for
control module. Remove 2 control module m ounting screws. Remove control module.
3. To install, reverse removal proce dure. Ensure SRS control module arro w points to front of vehicle. Set
parameters and program new SRS control module wi th Hand-Held Tester (965 589 00 01 00). Activate
air bag system. Perform system operation check to ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM
OPERATION CHECK .
Removal & Installation (S Class)
1. Before proceeding, See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See
DISABLING & ACTIVATI NG AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Remove ignition key. Remove radio. Remove
ashtray. Remove wooden surround for ashtray. Remove shift lever cover mounting screws. Push shift
lever cover toward rear of vehicle and remove in an upward direction.
2. Remove center console cover screws. Remove cente r console cover by pulling from bottom in an upward
direction. When removing covers, di sconnect electrical connectors as necessary. Disconnect SRS control
module electrical connector. Re move SRS control module.
3. To install, reverse removal proce dure. Ensure SRS control module arro w points to front of vehicle. Set
parameters and program new SRS control module wi th Hand-Held Tester (965 589 00 01 00). Activate
air bag system. Perform system operation check to ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM
OPERATION CHECK .
Removal & Installation (SL Class)

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